185 replies to this topic

[Juicebox]

Norio Sasaki and Homare Sawa won, respectively, Coach of the Year and Player of the Year Awards for women's football today at FIFA Gala. I can't think of two more deserving people to receive prizes in today's cerimony. If you think of the year Japan had and how much of a dark horse the NT was, it's almost unbelievable to actually think they managed to win the WC.

Congratulations to both of them, very happy for them.

[Kei]

Juicebox, on 09 January 2012 - 10:02 PM, said:

Norio Sasaki and Homare Sawa won, respectively, Coach of the Year and Player of the Year Awards for women's football today at FIFA Gala. I can't think of two more deserving people to receive prizes in today's cerimony. If you think of the year Japan had and how much of a dark horse the NT was, it's almost unbelievable to actually think they managed to win the WC.

Congratulations to both of them, very happy for them.

Very few people embodied football in 2011 more than Sawa and Sasaki, the lead important figures on arguably the most inspirational team the sport saw last year. They definitely deserve their accolades, though I'm sure they'll want to share the spotlight with the rest of the Cup-winning squad.

Japan FA also won the Fair Play award for its efforts following the disaster in March. It's impossible to overstate how big a boost the Nadeshiko provided with their exploits in Germany, not to mention how much they've helped in terms of holding charity matches and relief efforts to the worst-hit areas. Both the men's and women's teams are by far the most popular and beloved in Japan, and their success has brought a lot of hope to a country that, frankly, could still use every encouragement it could get at this point.

[Juicebox]

The Fair Player Award has always sounded to me as a "Look how FIFA is nice" award, but it doesn't mean the institutions don't deserve the recognition. I'm not familiar with the work Japan FA did throughout 2011, but it doesn't suprise me it did such a good job, Japan has this amazing ability to rise even after the worst disasters and that is something that I've always admired in Japanese people.

I still can't get over the fact of how much of a wonderful football match that final was, probable one of the top 3 games of the year. The whole campaign of the NT was sensational, but man, that match was a great example of why people fall in love with football all the time.

[P90x]

Usami hit all 5 goals in Bayern's friendly in Qatar.

[Kei]

Found this piece on goal.com the other day... and found that I agreed with all of the points raised and the solutions suggested. The part about the English language is telling, since a lot of what they teach at the middle and high school levels in Japan is just beyond a joke.

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The language barrier: Why Japanese football has struggled to internationalise and how it can recover

The sport has made great strides in the last decade, but much more needs to be done if the country expects to earn the same amount of recognition as its European peers

By Dan Orlowitz | Japan Football Editor

Impressive performances by Samurai Blue and Nadeshiko, an influx of their players into Europe, and the continent's most developed domestic league have combined to make Japan a center of attention in the footballing world. But despite this success, questions remain as to whether the country is prepared to take advantage of increased international interest.

J-League is hardly the first Japanese entity to have trouble understanding and adapting to foreign markets. Many of these problems come as a result of the language barrier; despite its status as the world's third-largest economy, Japan's English education regularly ranks among the worst in Asia.

Much of this has to do with the way the language is taught. Fluent English-speaking teachers are rare, forcing most schools to rely on low-paid foreigners who assist in classroom activities. With budgets strained in the midst of an unending recession, many school districts are either unwilling, unable, or uncertain of how to deal with the problem.

Yet the same Japanese children who struggle with the language are football fans, complete with Barcelona kits, Arsenal notebooks, and Inter pencil cases. European teams have transformed into global brands - now Japanese football must do the same. Here are four ways that they can accomplish this feat to the benefit of the players, the league, and the nation's footballing potential.

REACH OUT TO FOREIGN FANS
As foreign tourists regularly discover, few J-League clubs offer significant information in English on their websites while the rest simply don't bother with an English presence online. Gamba Osaka are a refreshing exception with an English-language ticketing service while Urawa Reds offer multimedia-rich news in English.

Considering how affordable J-League tickets are compared to European countries, this is a tourism opportunity waiting to be exploited. Even information as simple as English-language transit directions and stadium maps would allow both tourists and curious ex-pats to easily attend matches, helping clubs build a word-of-mouth following abroad.

ENCOURAGE ENGLISH FLUENCY AMONG PLAYERS
Stories of Japanese players who have gone overseas and failed to pick up the local language are far from uncommon, and the JFA and J-League must rectify this problem. Players active abroad must understand that they are the international face of Japanese football and should be able to communicate with both fans and media without a translator.

Domestically, teams should have at least one Japanese player capable of chatting with them in the mixed zone as foreign press are a growing presence at J-League matches. To encourage potential rookies to keep up their studies, the league could raise minimum salaries for players with high Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) scores.

WORK CLOSELY WITH MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Though few may realise it, the J-League and MLS are practically siblings. 'Born' just three years apart in countries where other sports dominated, the two leagues suffered lean periods in the early 2000s before periods of recovery and success. Both have knowledgable and passionate supporters and are starting to gain attention abroad.

Yet there is also much that the two sides can offer each other. The J-League could study MLS's enthusiastic adoption of social media in attracting new fans while giving American stars an established league where they can shine. MLS, for its part, would benefit throughly from observing Japanese youth academies, while presenting Japanese players who desire to play abroad a safe environment in which to grow. Add sponsorship opportunities to the mix, and this potential pan-Pacific alliance could only help both leagues grow further.

LOOK OUTSIDE BRAZIL FOR INTERNATIONAL TALENT
A long-established network of scouts, coaches, and translators have combined over the years to make Brazil the biggest exporter of foreign players to Japan. While many undoubtedly-talented players have had long careers in J-League, recently failures have outnumbered successes. Proven talents such as Gamba's Adriano and FC Tokyo's Cabore are quickly been snatched up by Middle Eastern sides with greater financial muscle.

J-League clubs must realise that there is an entire world of talent beyond Brazil and, if they expand their scouting, they will be rewarded with not only a diversified league but increased international attention. While this may be the most difficult proposal to accomplish, it would show that the league is ready to change and take on the world.

There's definitely more interest in J-League, and Japanese football in general, but as mentioned, you have to keep making yourself known in this game, both on and off the pitch.

[Kei]

Homare Sawa: Japan's soccer star inspires a nation

Quote

(CNN) -- If there is anyone who embodies the fighting spirit of Japan's disaster-laden year, it is Homare Sawa.

The 33-year-old is the captain of Japan's women's soccer team who lifted the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany last June. Despite being huge underdogs her team made it through to the final of the tournament where they beat the highly fancied United States.

Before the competition began the team had little financial backing and was practically ignored by the Japanese public still reeling from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

So when the Japanese talk about "ganbaro" (Japanese for standing firm in the face of unspeakable odds), Sawa's success is a shining example of how it's possible.

"We fought for ourselves and for Japan," says Sawa.

Before the matches at the World Cup, Japan's coach showed the team images of tsunami-devastated towns where nearly 20,000 people perished.

"It was hard to believe the images were of Japan. I became very sad, even though it was right before our matches. The images urged us to move forward as a team and we strongly felt that we had to get to the finals. We were very thankful that we could play soccer when there are many people affected by the earthquake," says Sawa.

As the team progressed through the competition, the final loomed against the U.S.. Japan had not managed to beat the Americans in 25 previous matches.

"For some strange reason, I just didn't feel like we could lose ," says Sawa.

"I'm not sure why, perhaps a sixth sense. It wasn't just me either. My teammates were also feeling like we couldn't lose. Maybe we felt this way because Japan was giving us power."
Across Japan, fans watched in the early morning hours, crying and screaming as their team won against all the odds.

The fairy tale wasn't over for Sawa, who was recently named FIFA's female player of the year.

It was the high point of a career spent toiling in a sport that's unappreciated in Japan and underfunded by sponsors.

Around 25,000 girls play football in Japan, but there are no professional leagues for women. Sawa herself played on a boy's team. The pay gap between the genders is stark and most of the members of Sawa's World Cup team have full time jobs and could only train in the evenings. Sawa now sees that lack of opportunity as an asset.

"Thinking back now, my technique probably improved because I played with boys and perhaps I became mentally stronger, too, because I didn't want to lose to them," she says.

Sawa emerged as a gifted athlete, making her first international debut at the age of 15.

She says she believed she would be married by the age of 28 and have children. But the dream of being the world's best player kept her on the pitch.

That dream has been achieved and Sawa is now looking ahead to the Olympic Games in London.

She hopes the disparity between men's and women's teams in Japan will close if her team can bring home a medal.

"If we can do well at the Olympics, maybe some players may switch from having to work full-time to part-time."

When asked if she feels she is a national symbol, Sawa laughs and shakes her head. "No, no, no. Not at all," she says.

She acknowledges that her win inspired Japanese fans and she does offer advice to young girls who want to achieve in sport.

"It has been a long time since I set the goal of winning the World Cup and I want to communicate the importance of having a goal," she said. "It's easy for people to want to see results quickly, but it takes time. I'd encourage them to keep at it."